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Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
USET is committed to support USET member Tribal Nations by providing resources and recommendations to reduce the burden of disease in American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) communities. One of the infectious diseases we are currently monitoring is the global outbreak of dengue virus and the occurrence of travel and locally acquired dengue in the United States.
Since the start of 2024, there have been over 11.1 million suspected cases of dengue virus reported around the world, a 233% increase of cases compared to 2023. In the United States, there have been 3,290 cases of dengue reported, 2,231 cases of locally acquired, and 1,059 cases of travel acquired dengue in 52 jurisdictions (states and territories). While most of the locally acquired cases have been reported in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there have been 18 cases reported in Florida so far, specifically in the Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Monroe, and Pasco counties. Historically, Texas has also seen locally acquired dengue virus.
USET OTPH is committed to bringing our member Tribal Nations updated information on a timely basis. This alert is to inform our member Tribal Nations to be aware of the potential dangers of dengue virus when traveling and use preventative measures to reduce possible infection while in the U.S. and abroad.
Dengue Virus
- Also known as ‘breakbone fever’
- Dengue virus is a virus that spreads to people through an infected Aedes mosquito bite (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus)
- Aedes mosquitoes become infected by biting a person infected with dengue. Infected mosquitoes then spread the virus to other people through bites.
- These types of mosquitoes prefer to bite humans and live in indoor and outdoor areas near people
- These mosquitoes bite both during the day and night.
Dengue Virus Signs and Symptoms
One in four people who get infected with dengue virus will get sick. Symptoms of dengue usually begin within two weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. There are two forms of dengue virus sickness: Mild and Severe.
Mild Dengue
Most common symptom of dengue virus is very high fever (up to 104° F) with any of the following symptoms:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Pain behind the eyes
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Rash
Mild dengue usually lasts five to seven days and can be treated with over the counter (OTC) medications. OTC medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce fever and muscle aches. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) should be avoided as they can increase the risk of dengue fever bleeding complications.
Severe Dengue
Severe dengue, also called ‘dengue hemorrhagic fever’ or ‘dengue shock syndrome’, is a medical emergency. One in twenty people with mild dengue can develop severe dengue and can develop 24 to 48 hours after the fever has gone away. Please seek help immediately if you or your family members experience any of the following symptoms:
- Belly pain/tenderness
- Vomiting (3 or more times within a 24-hour period)
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Bleeding under the skin (will look like bruises)
- Vomiting blood or blood in the stool
- Rapid breathing
- Extreme fatigue or restlessness
Prevention
While dengue fever is mostly recoverable, reinfection of dengue with a different type of the virus can be even more dangerous than the first infection. To ensure primary dengue infection and any following reinfections do not occur, the best avenue is through the prevention of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can bite day or night, so please employ the following:
- If outside, use insect repellent on skin or clothing. There are many that have been EPA registered and can be found here
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent bites
- Wear colors that make it difficult for mosquitoes to see you: white, greens, blues or purples
- Use screens on all windows and/or use air conditioning to keep mosquitoes outside
- Mosquitoes breed by laying eggs near and in standing water. Prevent standing water from collecting near or around your homes
- Examples of standing water: water in flowerpots, roof gutters, discarded pots/pans, birdbaths, etc.
USET OTPH is committed to bringing member Tribal Nations updated information on a timely basis. We will provide updates when more information becomes available. For additional information or for clinical guidance, please see the sources below. The USET Epidemiology team is available to assist with any questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us at usetepi@usetinc.org.
Sources
CDC Alert-Dengue
PAHO Epidemiological Update
CDC Global Dengue
Florida Health: Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance
Mosquito Prevention PDF
Current Dengue Year Data (2024) CDC
Dengue-CDC
CDC Clinical Guide to Dengue
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